I read that Dale Earnhardt Jr. recently changed his car number from 8 to 88, and I was curious about how that system works. I remember that Richard Petty was always 43. What if Earnhardt didn’t want the number 88? Wikipedia claims that 88 is supposed to be good luck, but the number apparently also has white supremacist connotations. Would a driver ever be forced to drive unlucky 13?
This is a good question, but I’ll guess that it’s not a coincidance that Clint Bowyer’s Jack Daniels car happens to be the 07 car.
I believe that the team owners own the numbers once they are issued. For instance, the Wood Brothers owned 21 for most of NASCAR’s history. Petty Enterprises owns the rights to 43 (and Petty Blue, for that matter). As for how they are assigned, that I don’t know. I do know that with the dissolution of Robert Yates Racing number 88 came open and Hendrick obviously claimed it somehow.
According to my husband, Ralph Earnhardt drove the 88. That’s why Jr. got the number.
Actually, NASCAR “owns” the numbers and assigns them to team owners. Team owners can propose trades, request alternative numbers and so forth. Although their desires are not binding on NASCAR, NASCAR is much more likely to approve a transfer if both parties agree. Money, of course, can be part of the agreement.
Dale Earnhardt, Jr., is changing teams in 2008. He will no longer drive for Dale Earnhardt Inc (DEI) which is currently assigned number 8 by NASCAR. Dale Jr.'s new team will be Hendrick Motor Sports. The car number for his new team is currently 25. Hendrick Motorsports wanted to secure the number 8, but DEI was not willing to part with it unless Hendrick (and Dale Jr.) would agree to giving DEI a percentage of souvenir sales. Given this, Hendrick continued searching for another way to maintain some continuity for Dale Jr. – looking at options such as 08, 80, etc. Apparently Hendrick tried to trademark numbers 81, 82, 51, 58. The number 88 is currently assigned to Robert Yates Racing and was most recently famous as the UPS car driven by Dale Jarrett. Jarrett has changed teams taking UPS sponsorship with him. This has left Robert Yates Racing short on cash and apparently was willing to “sell” the 88.
Here’s a link to Jayski’s (a great NASCAR site) that lists the best current information on what numbers will be in use in 2008.
There was quite a lot of fun with some NASCAR commentators running a “Free the 8” campaign trying to get DEI to release the number 8.
You can get the history of each car number at Nascar.com. Here’s a direct link to the 8 car’s history.
The 8 Car Dale Jr. has only had that number since 2000.
And another for the 88. Darrell Waltrip is probably the most famous driver of this car.
Also, I think **Airman Doors ** may be incorrect about Yates Racing. My understanding is that Robert Yates is retiring, but his son Doug Yates (who has been actively involved in the team) will be taking over ownership. They are expected to continue two teams–Number 38 David Gilliland and Number 28 Travis Kvapil. However, they have real sponsorship issues with losing UPS last year and most likely losing Snickers & M&Ms this year.
Why, yes, I am a NASCAR geek. I was a fan before it was cool. Why do you ask?
Lee Petty drove #42, Kyle has used numbers 42, 44 & 45, and Adam was #45 in the Busch series.
